Tomorrow is my b-day.  Last year, Isiah got me a 2nd pick.  Let's see if he went shopping a day early for me this time...

The consensus is that the Western Conference is vastly superior than the Eastern Conference at this point in time. Moreover, there are few superstars in the East. Presumably, the league wants to maintain balance, so the top two picks should go to Eastern conference teams. However, the analysis is complicated somewhat by the fact that the NBA may be motivated to "save" basketball in Seattle, a major west coast market.

Conspiracy factors obviously suggests that Boston will get the number one pick. They are in the Eastern Conference, they have a rich history, and they are a major east coast city.

Therefore, under the conspiracy theory, Boston gets the number one pick.

It's not as clear who the NBA would want to recieve the number two pick. (This conspiracy is hard to manage!) On the one hand, Milwaukee is in the Eastern conference. However, it's a smallish city and the NBA may not like the notion of having multiple superstars in an already stacked Central Division. Sorry Bucks.

Next up for consideration is Atlanta. They are in the Eastern conference and their attendence is sagging.  Once upon a time, they had Nique. However, the fan support is pathetic even in decent years and the management is suspect. Does the NBA want to entrust one of its young crown jewels to the guys that drafted Sheldon "Wookie" Williams in the five spot last year? Probably not. Sounds like it's another season of 3,000 person crowds at the magnificent Phillips Arena, part stadium, part teeny-bopper mall.

That brings us to Seattle. They aren't in the Eastern Conference, but the franchise is in jeopardy. Additionally, the perception around the league is that Seattle has "great" fans.  It's a close call, but Stern gives the second pick to Seattle after covert market studies indicate that a team in Oklahoma City would not appeal to the thuggish sensibilities of most NBA players and fans. As one lower level NBA exec puts it, "Fitty cent in Oklahoma just means two quarters."

The third pick goes to an Eastern Conference team as a consolation prize. The League wants Phoenix to get the fourth pick because, more than anything, it is tired of seeing the boring Spurs in the Finals. Stern still weeps when he reflects on the 6.5 Nielson rating the FInals garnered in 2003.  Atlanta is foiled again. Hence, Milwaukee gets the third pick by default.

Results of The Conspiracy Draft Lottery:

(1) Boston;
(2) Seattle;
(3) Milwaukee.

Memphis, not surprisingly, is the big loser.

Let's see if that stands up tonight.  

If number nine comes and goes without the Bulls name being called, it means they are in the top three.

3. Atlanta
   
2. Seattle
   
1. Portland